Ch. 29

Jack wrinkles his nose. Something tickles him and he is too lazy to move his arm that is wrapped around something warm. His dream dissolves. In it he just confessed about the two women who mean the most to him. It was decision day and one of the two, he doesn't know who it was, bursts into tears and goes down on his knees. Really dramatic. The worst part was that he showed no sympathy. Jack even laughed badly and kissed the woman he chose. There was no real joy.

Shit, tomorrow is the day.

" Mmh ...", torn from the thoughts, he opens his eyes and sees something rolled up. It takes time until he realizes that Mia is lying next to him. You must have fallen asleep during the movie. His arm is wrapped around her, her head resting on his chest. The legs are totally wedged together. Mia nests her head against his t-shirt. Her black locks are worked on his arm and across his face. So that's why his nose tickles. Carefully he frees one hand and wipes his face.

" Jack!" Grumbled into his chest. He doesn't know if she's asleep or really awake. "What?" He whispers, holding his breath, not sure if he would like her to be awake. He might get used to this way of waking up. "Stop moving, as a pillow you will definitely get a one." He can feel the smile in her voice. “I've never been given a compliment like this.” “Good!”, She hugs him even closer. Suddenly Mia is sitting upright. Her hair is up, one eye still half closed and the imprint of his shirt on her cheek. Then she fixes him with an evil look. "You are dangerous. I've never been as tired on a working day as I am today and I'm sure we're running late. ”She stands up like lightning, stumbles briefly and curses before pulling up the roller shutter to look at the clock. "Damn! It's worse than I thought. ", Jack deciphered that it must be shortly after eight. "What are you still lying there? We should have been there three minutes ago. Get your things together. The bathroom will be yours in ten minutes at the latest. "

For him it's really late on a working day, his days usually start at seven in the office. Why did he sleep so long? Because of Mia? He has never overslept because of a woman. He quickly fetches his bag and takes his hygiene items and clothes. And to his surprise, Mia really comes out exactly ten minutes later. One more time. He has never seen a woman leave the bathroom so quickly. Mia is very different from what he's used to and he likes it.

The morning continues full of surprises and for the first time with a quick kiss from Mia. “I'll get something to eat quickly. Are you the bun, muesli or egg type? “, The loving, almost tender look irritates him. Does she feel so close to him? Did she imagine what it would be like if they were together? "Bun. Thanks. “, A grin escapes him unintentionally. Life with Mia would be extremely harmonious and sweet.

Probably you would be one of the couples who finish their sentences for each other, who feed each other and always hold hands. A typical romance relationship. That's exactly what he was desperately looking for when Finn persuaded him to contact him. "All right! Hurry up. I'll call you quickly and let you know that we will come as soon as possible. "

#

Mia hums happily while making the coffee. The rolls are already on the table with a few spreads and butter. When she woke up next to Jack and realized that he wasn't just lying next to hers in her dreams, her heart melted. Most of all she would like to jump, squeak, laugh and hug the world. This is what love should feel like. In contrast, their past relationships were a shadow in comparison.

Jack. Here. With her. In your four walls (With Kim). Can a heart leap and swell with happiness so much that it bursts? There is no such case yet? Then she will probably be the first patient.

She can't wait to show him her place of work. Hopefully he can handle it. Not everyone can shed their prejudices, even if you think you don't have any. The coffee is ready. She has just filled two cups when Jack comes in. The blonde hair was styled with water. Immediately she has the urge to grin silly. "Dig in! We won't have anything again until two o'clock. Maybe sooner too, it all depends. ”Mia herself has already smeared the first half and takes a bite.

He devours three rolls in record time. She just packs one and a slice of ham for the way to the car. “Do you always swallow like that in the morning?” Mia has a picture of them in her head. She, very cliché, at the stove and Jack is waiting to devour everything she cooks. "Not really. Is it just like that yesterday ... at Summer there was just a measly salad. ”Mia's little devil cheers. “You don't need to be afraid. We have an hour to eat. That's enough for two of the biggest plates in my favorite restaurant. "

The camera team is already waiting for them. “What took so long? We were about to march in and start without you. “, Max is not yet sweating heavily. But the morning heat doesn't seem to get him. "I'm sorry. Have overslept. Hopp, but now in quickly. "

Already dissolved, Mona, the new educator, comes towards her. "Here you are at last. Everything is very jittery and can hardly wait to see you. ”, But that's definitely not all. "There are also problems with Susanne.", Bingo. Susanne is in the fourth and now probably five months pregnant. Your boyfriend ran away with her best friend. She is one of the few who really need professional help from her. "OK. I'll talk to her in a moment. First we get the surprise cake over with. “, Mona opens her eyes. "How do you know ..?" "I know you guys inside out.", She winks and waves to Jack behind her. “It could be that confetti is thrown.”, She whispers to him. She briefly hears his soft laugh before Mona opens the door and it comes in from every corner. “Welcome back!” Echoes. Everyone shines at her and wants a hug, preferably everyone at the same time. But before anyone can reach her, she is grabbed around the waist and lifted up. "Stop! No movement. “, Jack took hold of her and laughs loudly. His chest vibrates against her back. “Not all at once, if I may ask. I need them in one piece and alive. “, Mona, Lara, Sonja and all the other mothers or expectant mothers stare at Jack then Mia. "You can let me down now.", Slowly he follows her command. However, bends down to her ear. A feather-light kiss on her earlobe makes her turn almost red. "You are prettier than on TV.", Tina remarks quite unabashedly. She is 17 and about to move out. Your son is now around a month and a half old. "Thank you! You like to hear that. ", Then she hugs Lara stormily. "Nice to be able to hold you in my arms again.", She leans back. “Do you know that the whole home is watching the telly when the show comes? Popcorn is made and there is a lot of enthusiasm. ”, She grins. "Wow!", She would not have expected so much affection from anyone here. Apparently she is more popular than she realized.

The room breaks out of its rigidity and welcomes Mia. The women's eyes are particularly attached to Jack. “Do you think you can handle them? I have to look after Susanne. “, In Max direction she gives the sign to stay with Jack with Jack. Susanne was relatively stable before she left, but that was four weeks ago. She knocks carefully. No Answer.

Mia waits just before she enters. What she expected there she would not have thought possible. Everything is dark. The only ray of light comes from the door. Susanne is sitting in the corner of the room, her head bowed. The hair was messy and almost matted. That reminds her of how she found her. In a side street next to a dumpster in a restaurant. The waiter had been feeding her leftovers for days.

Too ashamed to go home and confess that she is pregnant and that her boyfriend has been cheating on her for a long time. She gave the waiter a big tip as a thank you. It took three days for her to open up to her. At this point she was already sleeping here. A month later, her parents came to assure her that they would support her.

From then on it was only uphill. So what happened to get you back to the beginning? "Susanne? Susan? “, The huddled something doesn't react. "Susan?" Is what Mia always calls her. That seems to work on the second try. She lifts her head, but no smile adorns her pretty face. "What's going on, honey? What are you making a sad face? ”“ Everyone is leaving me. ”, A tear rolls down the Kien. "What are you saying? That's not true at all. You made friends with many others here. You have your family, the educators and you know that you can also rely on me. ”, Susanne grunts. "You? You think you are my girlfriend You are just like them! First I let them into my heart and trusted them and then they left. ”“ WHAT! You know that I'm always there for you. You can call me at any time. "

YOU LEAVED ME TO FIND A GUY, THAT MEANS THE END OF OUR FRIENDSHIP! ”, The sudden outburst of emotions and the increase in volume make Mia cringe, she bumps against a shelf and throws something down.

#

Jack is instantly comfortable. The women scraped around him and made holes in them in a way that doesn't make him slip uncomfortably in the seat. It's just a little irritating to see so many pregnant women in one place. But he quickly got used to it. As well as being offered biscuits, yogurt or bread all the time. In any case, he will not starve to death here and it will not be boring either.

" YOU HAVE LEAVED ME." It suddenly screeches from the direction in which Mia disappeared an hour ago. Immediately he stands and has already jogged two steps towards the door before someone grabs his arm. Worried, he turns around and looks Mona in the face. "Let! Susanne has a loud organ. Nothing happens. ”At that moment there is a crash and something falls to the ground. “Jack, keep calm. Nothing happens."

Nothing happens there? You heard that what was going wrong. What if something happens to Mia and he hasn't done anything to help her? He slowly gets in and his breathing goes faster. He has to see that Mia is fine. "Calm down, big guy!", But he doesn't hear what Mona is saying. His eyes are fixed on the door. His thoughts with her. "OK. We knock politely and ask if everything is okay. ”, Mona doesn't seem to trust him enough because she doesn't let go of his arm.

Jack's view is obscured. Everything in him is fixated on Mia. He's never worried about anyone so much. Mona knocks three times. "Mia? It's all good, isn't it? ”, But it remains silent behind the door. Too quiet. “It's enough!”, He can no longer stand it. Without paying attention to Mona, he pulls the door open. Mia sits on the floor and lifts her head. Eyes closed. The girl who must be Susanne closes her ears and cries.

" Mia? Mia! “, Within seconds he sits down next to her and takes her face in his hands. A tear escapes her closed eyelid. "Baby, are you alright?" Shit his heart skips several beats when she doesn't react immediately.

" Jack? Do not worry. I am not bleeding. Give me a few minutes, ”she whispers. Carefully he feels his way along her head using her hands. "Ouch!" A big bump will form. That must have really hurt. "Come over. We'll lay you on the couch in the common room. ”, She nods dazedly and tries to get up alone. But her sense of balance doesn't seem to be entirely intact. Without further ado, he piggybacks her and carries her. He carefully lets her down on the sofa. His mind is filled with Mia. Nothing is more important.

For the next hour he gets her something to cool off, brushes her hair off her face and otherwise does not leave her side. He also asks at least twice every five minutes if Mia needs something or if she is better. Little by little everyone went to their rooms. "That's not how I imagined it.", A weak smile appears on her lips. “I almost pissed my pants. So I was afraid for you. ", Relieved that Mia is doing so well again that she can smile, he hugs her. “Let me sit down. I'm fine again, honestly. ", Jack reluctantly lets her do what she wants. He would love to wrap them in cotton wool and not let go until he is sure that everything is okay. He gently strokes her cheek. Her eyes shine and he thinks she's starting to cry again. But what comes next shocks him more than anything else.

" I love you!"

Her eyes shine and she blooms like a rose in general. Everything breaks out of her. “Hey, look me in the eye. I know that there is still Summer. You probably like her as much as I do and I don't ask you to reciprocate my feelings. I just want you to know how I feel when I see you. ”, Her beautiful smile almost knocks him out. It was so sweet of you that you were so worried about me, still do. Now was just the right moment to tell you how I feel. ", A feather-light kiss on the corner of his mouth brings him back to reality. He can only have dreamed that, right? Another kiss on the other side. His temples, forehead and finally one on his mouth. Jack has closed his eyes. It's a great feeling to know that you mean so much to someone. "I ... I really like you and a little more.", Her light green eyes soften. "I know that, otherwise I wouldn't be in the final, would I?" Jack opens his mouth and is immediately interrupted by Mia. "Don't say anything. Tomorrow you will announce who you have decided on. ”How can someone go through life so undemanding? If he confessed his love and did not get a clear answer, he would be on the ground or on the verge of it.

" Mia?", A shy little voice sounds behind him. "Susan! Are you okay? “, She waves the girl in. It really is a gift to everyone here. There should be more women like that. “I didn't get a photo frame on my head. I'm so sorry for yelling at you I didn't want any of that. Can you forgive me? ”“ You don't need to apologize, but I'll gladly accept it. Finally, I was scared and stumbled against the closet. "

" Thanks! And just so you know: I like your boyfriend. ”With that she turns around again and leaves. Mia grins at him. “There is nobody here who doesn't like you. Everyone likes you. ”, He is still speechless by Mia's frank admission. "Come on! Let's go eat something. I'm starving."

#

Your head feels a lot better already. Mia just feels a little drunk, drunk with love. It was a real relief to tell Jack. He has the right to know, and she foresaw the awkward silence. Every guy reacts the same to a declaration of love.

" What do you think of Italian?", Jack doesn't seem to have found his way out of his thoughts yet. "Italian! Do you like to eat Italian? "" Yes ... Yes, of course. "

The conversation is still really wooden and shortly before she starts to worry, the arcs smooth out. They find their way back to their normal rhythm. He orders spaghetti Bolognese and she orders a small pizza. Which is really only half of a frozen pizza. Jack doesn't eat tomatoes, so he hands them to her. Mia doesn't eat olives and smuggles them onto Jack's plate. They talk about anything that comes to mind. About the uprisings in Egypt, about the past strawberry days, work and funny stories from childhood.

Max stands behind the camera and nods happily. This is what a couple should look like. He even has to poke her and point out that her lunch break is almost over. In a gentlemanly fashion, Jack pays the meal and raises Mia's arm to chop it in. Just like it was in the fifties. Really romantic.

" What was the matter with this Susanne?", She is reluctant to tell the story, but she trusts Jack enough to tell him. “Shouldn't she see a psychologist or psychiatrist? What happens when she gives birth to the child? ”She has already thought about that. However, she didn't have the heart to tell. A psychologist does not always have a good reputation among three quarters of the population. It is not bad to need help with that. "I know."

A silence fills the cut back alley. “Then I can call it a day for three to four hours. Do you think you will survive them? "

Mia visits each girl again and discusses the next steps with them. For example, who stays after the birth of the child to do an education. Who has parents who take him in or how their baby is doing. Whether everything is OK and no questions remain unanswered. It's good to be in contact with everyone again. She missed you. Her work was the only life she had four weeks ago. Will that change after tomorrow? Will she break up sooner? Stop helping on the street? Mia doesn't want that, but in her old life there was no free time, no circle of friends or exuberant evenings.

Time flies by and she says goodbye to everyone. Even Jack is hugged and invited whenever he wants. “I would say we have a bite to eat, pack comfortably and then it's back to the villa. Agreed? ”“ Agreed. ”Kim is waiting for her at home. “I wanted to see you again. Give me another hug Even if we see each other again this weekend. ”, Kim laughs and wiggles her eyebrows. If Jack chooses her, she will spend another day alone with Jack, if not she will go on Saturday.

“ I've already cut bread. Enjoy it. ”, Kim disappears into her room. “She's a real love.” They quietly eat their bread and pack within a few minutes. Mia doesn't need much anymore and Jack hardly had anything with him. "KIM. We are ready."

There are more hugs and kisses before getting into the car. “The two days were really nice, Jack. No matter who you choose, we should keep in touch. ", She quickly presses a kiss on the cheek at a red light. “It's fun to kiss you. You always look so surprised. You have to get used to it. ”, Giggling, she looks straight out. "It is green. You wanted to go. "

It's so cute when Jack looks confused. She can picture him really well as a lawyer. Looking at a file from behind glasses. A confused look because of incorrectly entered data. That would be really sexy.

They soon drive into the driveway and are eagerly awaited there. Finn, Sophia and even Summer stand in front of the house and look towards them. Two faces overjoyed, the third depressed. “There you are at last. It's already after 9 p.m. What stopped you? “, Sophia storms excitedly towards Mia. “We ate and packed straight away after work. Maybe because I only broke up with the home an hour later than planned. ", But apparently that wasn't what she wanted to know. But Sophia just grins and looks at Finn. He sighs theatrically and turns to Jack. “She already has me fully under control. After only two weeks. Jack, buddy, I'm doing something wrong. ”“ Go ahead. ”Sophia urges. “It's good. It's good. My lovely friend over there. Got a great idea to stay until tomorrow and be part of the decision. What do you think of it? “, Finn points with his lips that he doesn't have to say yes when Sophia hugs her again, beaming with joy. "According to me. Stay one more night. ”The screeching that follows is great. Your friend is completely excited and jumps in circles.

Hopefully tomorrow will be just as good for her too.